Digital Commons Network^™

Early-Life Exposure To Organic Chemical Pollutants As Assessed In Primary Teeth And Cardiometabolic Risk In Mexican American Children: A Pilot Study, Vidya S. Farook, Feroz Akhtar, Rector Arya, Alice Yau, Srinivas Mummidi, Juan Lopez Alvarenga, Alvaro Diaz-Badillo, Roy G. Resendez, John Blangero

Human Genetics Publications

Early-life exposure to organic chemicals (OCs) may influence childhood obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk. These conditions have been shown to disproportionately affect minority populations such as Mexican Americans (MAs). However, information on the impact of organic chemicals on cardiometabolic risk in MA children is limited. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to assess the extent to which exposure to organic chemicals influences cardiometabolic traits (CMTs) in MA children. We recalled 25 children from a previous study and collected 25 primary teeth from them. Chemical analyses of the teeth were performed using established protocols. Target analytes included acetaminophen (APAP); 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), …

The Calvin University Math Department History 1920-2020, Michael Stob

University Histories

No abstract provided.

Wmu Maritime Affairs Conference 2025 : Transforming A Maritime Future : Digitalization And Decarbonization, World Maritime University

Books

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Mesoscale Frontal Waves On Landfalling Atmospheric Rivers And Their Associated Precipitation Over The Green River Watershed, Washington, Joseph Michael Riedl

Dissertations and Theses

In this study, the effect of mesoscale frontal waves (MFWs) on extreme precipitation (EP) in the Upper Green River Watershed (UGRW), Washington is investigated. 205 EP days (>95th percentile) are identified in the UGRW between the years 1980 and 2021. To characterize the range of large-scale meteorological conditions associated with EP days, the self-organizing map (SOM) approach is used to cluster daily integrated water vapor transport (IVT) on EP days. To further diagnose the meteorological drivers, composites of several other diagnostic fields are constructed for each SOM node and the preceding days. Together, these results illustrate common orientations of …

Unraveling Crop Nitrogen-Water Dynamics With Hyperspectral-Thermal Sensing In Northern Central Valley, California, Shahryar Fazli, Surendra Maharjan, Wenzhao Li, Joshua B. Fisher, Rejoice Thomas, Fernando Romero Galvan, Gabriela Shirkey, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Ensuring global food security in the face of climate change requires optimizing crop water use and nutrient management. This study investigates the relationship between canopy nitrogen (N) and evapotranspiration (ET) across sunflower, rice, walnut, alfalfa, and plum crops using advanced remote sensing technologies. High-resolution hyperspectral data from NASAs Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) and thermal multispectral data from the Landsat-based OpenET system were analyzed over 1,135 km² in California. Regression analysis revealed strong spatial association between canopy N and ET for sunflower (R² = 0.82), rice (R² = 0.71), and walnut (R² = 0.68), …

Re: August 2025 Berkeley Pit Migratory Waterfowl Protection Monthly Report, Mark Thompson, Loren Burmeister

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Creating Wildfire-Resilient Communities In Utah: Fuel Treatments In The Wildland-Urban Interface, Luke Dutson, Kendall Becker, Katlyn Stemmler, J. Bradley Washa, Larissa L. Yocom Kent, Aish Chandrasekaran, Joseph D. Birch, Scott Hotaling

All Current Publications

In the western United States, decades of wildfire suppression and grazing have led to changes in the amount and type of wildland fuels. In many lower montane forests, fuels such as logs, dead trees, and fallen leaves have accumulated. In many sagebrush-dominated rangelands, annual grasses have invaded, and pinyon pine and juniper woodlands have encroached. These areas now threaten to burn at uncharacteristically high fire severity, a metric based on how much vegetation is killed. Climate change and rapid population growth have exacerbated this issue in Utah, increasing the threat wildfire poses to the state’s communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Fuel …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Fe-Zn Bimetallic Nanoparticles Via Two-Step Laser Ablation And Their Antibacterial Activity, Hudhaifa M. Mohammed, Sahar Naji Rashid

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In this study, Nd: YAG laser at a wavelength of (1064 nm), energies of (300 and 400 mJ), and a pulse repetition rate of (3 Hz) was used to synthesize metallic nanoparticles from iron and zinc individually using a one-step pulsed laser ablation approach, followed by the two-step synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles. The physical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were then investigated using UV-visible (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The results of characterization of the obtained NPs confirmed the formation of core-shell nanocomposites, as evidenced by the increased absorbance intensity of …

Capacity Building And Action For Climate Empowerment (Ace): A Technical Review, Salman Almudawib

COP30

Capacity Building and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is a core pillar for climate change mitigation through people’s participation, education, and empowerment (UNFCCC, n.d.; Action for Climate Empowerment, 2025). This article describes technological and digital resources that support ACE, particularly in the COP30 environment. It also identifies inventive methods and the stumbling blocks alongside the best digital instruments that facilitate local-level empowerment, targeting innovation centers, AI education, indigenous knowledge systems, and the integration of policies (IFLA, 2025; Mbuvha et al., 2024). One of the key anticipated outcomes is the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap, aimed at mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually for climate action …

Structural Optimization For Transfer Chutes Based On Energy Dissipation Mechanisms Of Coal Particles, Shi Yaocheng, Zou Zujie, Wen Guojun, Cheng Siyi, Wu Laijie, Wang Yudan, Liu Pu, Chen Mengxi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Bulk material transport in emergency rescue scenarios and coal transportation poses stringent demands for the structural performance of transfer chutes. Given this, from the perspective of the energy dissipation mechanisms of particles, this study proposed structural optimization methods for transfer chutes based on the regulation of particle energy dissipation. Methods An experiment–simulation integrated analysis framework was established. Using this framework, this study systematically simulated the impact process of particles between two-stage walls I and Ⅱ using the discrete element method (DEM), highlighting the coupling mechanisms among velocity fluctuations, stress distribution, and energy transformation pathways. Based on the results, this …

Molecular Simulations Of Selective Adsorption Of Lithium In The No.6 Coal Seam, Junggar Coalfield, Zhang Junshuang, Sun Beilei, Zhang Bin, Liu Chao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective With the discovery of metal deposits in coal-bearing strata, the distribution and occurrence patterns of lithium in coals have attracted much attention. However, its partitioning mode between organic structures and minerals in coals remains poorly understood.Methods This study investigated typical coals with a high lithium content in the Junggar Coalfield in Inner Mongolia. By integrating multiple simulation methods, including quantum mechanics, Monte Carlo simulation, and molecular dynamics, this study established the structural models of organic matter and inorganic minerals, as well as a visualized lithium-coal molecular structure model. Accordingly, it investigated the preferential adsorption sites on both organic …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp): Bres No. 26 – Cripple Dump, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Non-Invasive Detection Of Choroidal Melanoma Via Tear-Derived Protein Corona On Gold Nanoparticles: A Machine Learning Approach, Hakimeh Rakhshandeh, Ahmad Nasiraei, Hamid Riazi-Esfahani, Babak Masoomian, Fariba Ghassemi, Mojtaba Arjmand, Saeed Heidari Keshel, Fatemeh Atyabi, Rassoul Dinarvand

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

This study investigates the feasibility of using tear sample analysis, based on protein corona formation on gold nanoparticles combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and machine learning techniques, as a non-invasive approach for the detection of choroidal melanoma. The aim is to assess whether protein-nanoparticle interactions can support early and reliable identification of this ocular condition. Tear samples were collected using Schirmer strips from six healthy individuals and six patients diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, with subsequent augmentation to 18 samples per group. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, ~ 20 nm) were synthesized via citrate reduction and incubated with tear samples to …

Carbon Metabolism And Multidrug Resistance In Bacillus Mobilis And Cupriavidus Campinensis Isolated From Cadmium-Spiked Soils, Philips O. Akinwole, Emma E.C. Jacobs '25, Nina G. Shaffer '25

Biology Faculty publications

Heavy metal contamination and antibiotic resistance are critical environmental and public health challenges, often exacerbated by co-selection pressures in polluted environments. This study identifies and characterizes Bacillus mobilis and Cupriavidus campinensis, two cadmium-tolerant bacterial species isolated from cadmium-amended soils with cadmium (Cd²⁺) concentrations exceeding those typically found in highly contaminated soils. Both species exhibited multidrug resistance and the ability to metabolize specific carbon substrates, including pyruvic acid methyl ester, itaconic acid, D-galactonic acid-γ-lactone, Tween-40, and Tween-80. These substrates enhance microbial activity and heavy metal bioavailability, supporting their potential roles in bioremediation, especially through the targeted introduction of …

Antibacterial Activity Of Zno/Geopolymer Composite Granules And Their Potential Application In Water Treatment, Ziyan Tirta Maulitia, Putri Nur Angelina, Pipit Erlita Sari, Sri Sugiarti, Irma Isnafia Arief, Zaenal Abidin

Makara Journal of Science

Water pollution has become a major global concern owing to its complexity and widespread impact. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common bacterial contaminants in water sources, which pose significant threats to public health. To mitigate water contamination by these pathogenic microorganisms, developing and implementing effective water treatment technologies are essential. A promising approach involves using antibacterial water filtration systems. Herein, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal and precipitation methods as antibacterial agents for water treatment. These preparation methods required considerably low synthesis time. A capping agent was …

Chacahoula 2025, Volume 92, Alayna Pellegrin

Chacahoula

The 2025 issue of Chacahoula includes December 2024 and May 2025 graduating classes, as well as stunning photography student life on the banks of Bayou Desiard. With features covering students, faculty, and staff, this year's time capsule preserves an academic year in the life of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Understanding And Assessing Climate Change: Preparing For Nebraska’S Future, 2024 Climate Change Impact Assessment Report, Deborah J. Bathke, Eric Hunt, Heather Akin, Andrea D. Basche, Jesse E. Bell, Daniel R. Dileo, Ross Dixon, Martha Durr, Tonya Haigh, Francis John Hay, Kristina W. Kintziger, Nicholas A. Mcmillan, Hank Miller, Jerome Okojokwu-Idu, Crystal Powers, Tirthankar Roy, Zhenghong Tang, W. Ryan Wishart, Aaron R. Young, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Jonathan J. Spurgeon

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Contents

Report Team

Acknowledgments

Executive Summary

Introduction

Climate Change Contexts: Global, National, and State

Observed Changes in Nebraska's Climate

Projections of Nebraska's Future Climate

Water Systems

Energy

Ecosystems

Agriculture

Human Health

Communities and the Built Environment

Indigenous Peoples

Climate Justice and Equity

The Response of Faith Communities

Nebraskans' Perceptions of Climate Change

Next Steps and Future Work

Supplemental Report: Adaptation, Risks, and Impacts

About the Authors

Faith-based Communities Survey

Evaluated Plans and Assessments

References

Facilitating The Move Towards A Wellbeing Economy Through Supporting Infrastructure: A Review Of Frontrunner Countries, Henry Bartelet, Vincent De Gooyert

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

As more governments seek to shift beyond gross domestic product (GDP) as the dominant measure of progress, the concept of a “wellbeing economy” has gained traction. This approach prioritizes human and environmental wellbeing through broader, more holistic policy frameworks. A central question in this transition is what the implications of shifts to a wellbeing economy are for infrastructure investments. In this study, we identify four frontrunner governments, Bhutan, Scotland, New Zealand, and Wales, that have formally adopted wellbeing economy principles. We analyse how each operationalizes the concept and assess the resulting implications for infrastructure planning and investment. Despite shared goals, …

Curatorial Statement For Oral Histories Collection, Chandler D. Smith

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Oral Histories

This curatorial statement includes details about the conception and execution of the LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive Oral Histories collection project by library faculty and staff. Updated version posted on April 29, 2026.

Investigation Of The Physicochemical Behaviour Of Acidum Citricum Homoeopathic Dilutions At Temperatures From 293.15 K To 318.15 K By Using Volumetric, Acoustic And Viscometric Methods, Anil Kumar Nain, Neha Chaudhary, Raj Kumar Manchanda, Debadatta Nayak

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: The physicochemical properties of homoeopathic medicines have been gaining importance in elucidating the physicochemical behaviour (interactions) and, hence in establishing the presence of medicine at ultra-high dilutions. Objective: The present study is aimed to reconnoiter the existence of drug in ultra-diluted medicines and evidence regarding the physicochemical behaviour and prevailing interactions in the dilutions of Acidum citricum. Materials and Methods: The densities (ρ), ultrasonic speeds (u) and viscosities (η) of pure ethanol control (91% ethanol in water) and 33 dilutions of Acidum citricum of potencies across 1C to 200C at temperatures from …

Dental Microwear And Diets Of Late Miocene Primates From Rudabánya, Hungary, Peter S. Ungar, Anna K. Wilcox, David R. Begun

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study focuses on a dental microwear texture analysis of European pliopithecids and dryopithecins from the Miocene primate site of Rudabánya, Hungary. The goal is to determine whether these taxa, found in part together in the same deposits, differed in their food preferences, or at least consumed, on a daily basis, in a manner that might have facilitated sympatry. Materials and Methods: Here we report on a molar surface texture analysis of all available fossil primates from Rudabánya that preserve antemortem microwear. This includes both Anapithecus hernyaki (n = 14) and Rudapithecus hungaricus (n = 5, including one from …

Correlation Of Radon Gas Concentrations And Associated Radiological Risks In Soil Using Ssntds With Gis And Spss At Najaf Governorate, Iraq, Rafal Mohamed Abdulsada, Lubna A. Alasadi

Al-Bahir

All human beings are affected by soil directly or indirectly. This study focuses on the effect of radon gas and related radiological risks using SSNTDs, specifically CR-39 detectors, in eighty secondary schools in Najaf and Kufa cities, Najaf Governorate, Iraq. As we recognize the importance of soil and its strong connection to humans, the study focused on areas where public and private schools were built, where students are present, and the potential for radiation risks to affect students' health. The results show that the average concentrations of C, C_Rn were 64.329±59.149 Bq / m³ and 3150.699±2897.036 Bq / …

Green Synthesis Of Copper And Silver Nanostructured Particles From Eremurus Plant Extract And Comparison Of Their Optical Properties And Antibacterial Activities, Doaa Ayad Kamil, Ali F. Al-Rawaf, Mohammed Yarub Hani, H.H. Obeed, Tabarek Falah Deindee, Mohammed Ridha Shaeed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In the present investigation, silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) nanostructured particles were synthesized from Eremurus plant by means of an environmentally benign methodology in which plant extracts served as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The resultant nanostructured particles were subjected to characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). XRD analysis confirmed development of Ag nanostructured particles with face-centered cubic (fcc) structure and also Cu nanostructured particles with cubic form. Moreover, the average crystallite dimensions obtained for Ag and Cu were 18.3 nm and 65.7 nm, …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling And Investigation Plan (Fsp): Bres No. 100 – Capri Motel – Arctic Dump, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Heuristic Weight Initialization For Transfer Learning In Classification Problems, Musulmon Lolaev, Anand Paul, Jeonghong Kim

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Transfer learning is the predominant method for adapting pre-trained models on another task to new domains while preserving their internal architectures and augmenting them with requisite layers in Deep Neural Network models. Training intricate pre-trained models on a sizable dataset requires significant resources to fine-tune hyperparameters carefully. Most existing initialization methods mainly focus on gradient flow-related problems, such as gradient vanishing or exploding, or other existing approaches that require extra models that do not consider our setting, which is more practical. To address these problems, we suggest employing gradient-free heuristic methods to initialize the weights of the final new-added fully …

Overcoming Variable Illumination In Photovoltaic Snow Monitoring: A Real-Time Robust Drone-Based Deep Learning Approach, Amna Mazen, Ashraf Saleem, Kamyab Yazdipaz, Ana Dyreson

Michigan Tech Publications

Snow accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels can cause significant energy losses in cold climates. While drone-based monitoring offers a scalable solution, real-world challenges like varying illumination can hinder accurate snow detection. We previously developed a YOLO-based drone system for snow coverage detection using a Fixed Thresholding segmentation method to discriminate snow from the solar panel; however, it struggled in challenging lighting conditions. This work addresses those limitations by presenting a reliable drone-based system to accurately estimate the Snow Coverage Percentage (SCP) over PV panels. The system combines a lightweight YOLOv11n-seg deep learning model for panel detection with an adaptive image …

Assessing The Sustainable Circular Fashion Supply Chain As A Model For Achieving Economic Growth In The Global Market, Andrew P. Burnstine, Raouf Ghattas

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The fashion industry faces a critical sustainability crisis, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions and generating 92 million tons of textile waste annually. The study highlights the complex interplay of material flows, business models, power structures, and cultural mindsets, presenting a multi-scaled framework for advancing cleaner production and circularity in one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. This study proposes a transformative model for circular bioeconomy in fashion, integrating systems-change theory, degrowth economics, and emotional durability. Through case studies, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and EU policy frameworks, the paper demonstrates how circular strategies can reduce waste, extend product …

Draft Final Butte Mine Waste Repository Geotechnical Investigation Work Plan, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Applied Linear Regression Techniques To Biomedical Research And Detecting Change-Points To Enhance Model Flexibility By Improving Interpretability And Applicability, Hoang Vu

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines change-point detection in statistical models through the framework of two-way truncated linear regression with threshold effects. Our work is based on Two-Way Truncated Linear Regression Models with Extremely Thresholding Penalization (TWT-LR with ETP) by Teng and Zhang (2022) which is an innovative approach extends traditional linear regression by incorporating potential change-points in both intercept and slope parameters, effectively handling multiple change-points through a specialized penalization technique that shrinks small coefficients to zero. This methodology demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in identifying significant change-points while maintaining computational efficiency. We propose a framework that models both upper and lower thresholds in …

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Diversity And Water Quality As Indicators Of Wetland Health In Natural And Constructed Wetlands Of Northeast Arkansas, Helena Grace Wheeler

Student Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to different abiotic factors drives a shift in macroinvertebrate communities. In wetland systems, soil is the primary driver of the aquatic system. Analyzing community dynamics in association with soil composition, water physiochemical properties, wetland size and age is valuable in determining wetland health. Little research has been done to examine the direct relationship between wetland soil parameters and macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrate diversity, community composition, and soil and water composition data were analyzed from natural wetlands, Agricultural Conservation Easement - Wetland Reserve Easement Program (ACEP-WRE) wetlands, and agricultural wetlands within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Sample collection occurred from February to …